Bhishma an Enigma [Paperback] Kotru, Umesh and Zutshi, Ashutosh

The pedigree of being a demi-god in his previous life and the scion of the
foremost dynasty in the Aryavarta should have ensured a smooth life for Prince
Devavrata. But, it was not to be. His upbringing by Goddess Ganga herself and
training under the best Gurus of his time could not change his destiny in any
way. His struggle to keep his dynasty afloat lasted his entire lifetime.
Despite repeated counselling from his mother, Vedvyasa and Vidura, among many
others, the feeling of having failed in his primary mission of protecting the
Kuru dynasty haunted him even on his bed of arrows. Although he was revered
and simultaneously feared as Bhishma, he spent his entire life in a struggle
to resolve his internal as well as external turmoil. Like ordinary mortals, it
seems that the extensive knowledge of scriptures gained from his guru
Maharishi Vasishta did not, in any way, help him in overcoming his miseries.
Bhishma would have been known only as a great warrior and someone who
resolutely stood by his word, had it not been for the grace of Sri Krishna
which brought forth the other facet of his personality of being a Brahmagyani.
That enabled him to address all queries of Yudhishthira, lying as he was on
the bed of arrows, before his departure from this world. Read more